Chandigarh: In a major push to strengthen public healthcare delivery, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Sumita Misra on Wednesday mandated round-the-clock laboratory and radiology services in all government hospitals. She also ordered compulsory night inspections by senior officers and warned of strict action against negligence.
High-Level Review Meeting
Chairing a high-level review meeting, Misra warned that poor infrastructure maintenance, lax administration, and patient inconvenience would not be tolerated. She announced surprise inspections and raids across hospitals to assess ground realities and ensure accountability. The meeting was attended by chief medical officers (CMOs), principal medical officers (PMOs), and senior medical officers (SMOs).
Enhanced Supervision and Patient Care
To improve supervision and patient care, CMOs, PMOs, and SMOs were directed to conduct at least two rounds daily, including mandatory evening rounds. Government hospitals have also been instructed to keep in-house laboratory facilities operational 24x7 so that patients are not forced to depend on private diagnostic centres.
Radiology and Equipment Audit
Misra also ordered uninterrupted functioning of X-ray, MRI, and other radiology services. Hospitals have been directed to submit detailed audit reports on functional and non-functional equipment by next Monday. Immediate corrective action has been sought wherever machinery is lying defunct.
Focus on Dialysis Care
Special emphasis was laid on dialysis care, with instructions to ensure that dialysis machines remain operational at all times. "No patient should suffer because of equipment failure or staff shortages," said Misra.
Women's Safety and Hygiene
Focusing on women's safety and hygiene, she ordered hourly cleaning of toilets in women's wards and strengthening of security arrangements in hospital premises. Hospitals were also directed to ensure an uninterrupted drinking water supply and functional lifts for elderly and critically ill patients.
Strict Action and Enforcement
Misra warned that strict action would be taken against officials failing to comply with government directives. She also ordered FIRs against illegal private ambulances operating within government hospital premises and intensified enforcement under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act against illegal sex determination practices.
